BYLAWS OF THE YORK CAMPUS SENATE

The standing committees of the Senate are: Faculty Affairs, Curricular Affairs, Academic and Student Issues, Teaching, Learning Technology Advisory Committee, and Cultural Diversity and Enrichment. Committees are composed of appointed faculty, students, ex officio members, and other persons specified in the committee designations.

Article II:Functions of Standing Committees

A. Faculty Affairs Committee

This committee works to promote professional, academic, and cultural growth of the faculty; seeks to improve lines of communication between faculty, administration, and students; considers any ethical problems arising out of or affecting a faculty member's performance; and reviews the promotion and tenure review process.

The Faculty Affairs Committee has one subcommittee:

1. Scholarship Award Subcommittee

This subcommittee selects the recipient of the Faculty Scholarship of Research and Creative Accomplishments Award based on nominations made by faculty within the Penn State system. Membership shall consist of the three immediately preceding award recipients, the senate chair-elect, and one faculty member appointed jointly by the Director of Academic Affairs and the Chancellor. The members of this subcommittee select one of themselves as chair.

B. Curricular Affairs Committee

This committee evaluates proposals for new academic degree programs and makes recommendations about them to the Senate. It also periodically reviews the quality and needs of existing degree programs offered at the Campus. Committee membership shall be comprised of three representatives from each of the Academic Units and a Chair, appointed by the Chair of the York Campus Senate. No more than one representative from a given discipline may serve concurrently. Committee composition should ideally meet the goal of providing representation from multiple full-time types of appointment. The representatives will be selected by the faculty within the appropriate academic unit; the DAA is an ex officio member.

C. Academic and Student Issues Committee

This committee addresses the quality of the campus academic environment, including instruction, instructional evaluation, advising, transitional programs, learning support, clubs and other extracurricular activities, and student conduct. The Director of Academic Affairs, the Director of Student and Enrollment Services, the Director of Advising and Career Development, the Director of the Nittany Success Center, and the Head Librarian (or their representatives) are ex-officio members. Student representatives are encouraged to serve on this committee.

The Academic and Student Issues Committee has four subcommittees:

1. Honors Subcommittee

This subcommittee oversees the York Campus Honors Program. This function includes determining student eligibility, approving proposals for honor’s options, and coordinating special programs, benefits, and awards for program participants. Each fall the subcommittee will report to the Senate on the previous year's program. The subcommittee is chaired by the campus coordinator of the University Scholars Program. Membership shall include at least one student enrolled in the Honors Program. In appointing members, the Senate Chair shall consult with the coordinator of the University Scholars Program. The Director of Admissions is an ex officio member.

2. Teaching Award Subcommittee

This subcommittee selects the recipients of the James H. Burness Excellence in Teaching Award based on nominations made by faculty, students, and administrators. Membership shall consist of the full-time teaching award recipients from the four immediately preceding academic years, the most recent part-time faculty recipient (if he or she is able to serve), and the Director of Academic Affairs. Each full time faculty member will chair this body during his or her fourth year, before he or she rotates off the subcommittee.

3. Academic Advising Council Subcommittee

This subcommittee is composed of the Academic Advising Award winners from the four preceding years and two student members selected by the Student Government Association. The Division of Undergraduate Studies Programs Coordinator, the Division of Undergraduate Studies adviser, and the Director of Academic Affairs are ex officio members of this subcommittee. The subcommittee will function as prescribed in the rules and procedures governing the Academic Advising Award. In addition, the subcommittee will be responsible for supporting the campus advising system. Each faculty member will chair this body during his or her fourth year, before he or she rotates off the subcommittee.

4. Student Awards Subcommittee

This subcommittee administers all academic and service student awards. It sets requirements for new awards, selects recipients of awards, assists the Director of Student and Enrollment Services with the Annual Awards Ceremony, and submits an annual report to the Chancellor at the end of Spring Semester. Membership shall consist of at least two faculty and two staff. In appointing members, the Senate Chair shall consult with the Director of Student and Enrollment Services. The Director of Student and Enrollment Services or a designee is an ex officio member of this subcommittee. The members of this subcommittee select a full time faculty member as chair.

D. Teaching. Learning Technology Advisory Committee

This committee addresses issues relating to academic technology, classroom technology, and faculty development needs in teaching and learning. The committee assesses technology and training needs, recommends technology standards for classrooms and campus infrastructure and develops classroom improvement proposals. The Director of Academic Affairs, Registrar, Director of Business Services, Director of Information Technology, campus Instructional Designer, and the Coordinator of the Master in Education in Teaching and Curriculum are ex-officio members. Student representatives are encouraged to serve on this committee.

E. Cultural Diversity and Enrichment Committee

This committee works to enhance intellectual and cultural opportunities and to develop a nurturing campus environment for all people. By addressing issues of concern to racial, ethnic, and other minority groups, the committee endeavors to make the campus more accessible to all people in the campus' service area. The committee encourages interaction with all appropriate groups and agencies in the larger community and oversees cultural programming for the Campus. The CEO and the DSES are ex officio members.

Article III:Special Committees

Special committees to consider subjects not already assigned to a standing committee may be created as needed by the Chair.

Article IV:Committee Chairs

Committee chairs must be full-time faculty members, and normally they will be chosen from the membership of the previous year's committee. The same faculty member normally may not chair a committee for more than two consecutive years.

A committee may invite to committee meetings non-members who might assist the committee in its work, but the chair will ensure that only committee members may vote in making committee decisions. Committee chairs will inform the Senate Chair of non-routine matters they wish to consider and secure the Senate Chair's concurrence before proceeding. All reports and proposals made by committees and subcommittees will be presented to the Campus Senate.

Once each semester, committee chairs will report in writing to the Senate membership on the progress of their committee's work.

ARTICLE V:Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order (Revised) shall govern all meetings of this Senate in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they do not conflict with the Constitution and ByLaws.

STANDING RULES OF YORK CAMPUS SENATE

I. YORK CAMPUS FACULTY OMBUDSPERSON

1. Unit - The Ombudsperson Unit shall consist of all full-time faculty members and members of the Division of Undergraduate Studies.

2. Voting Privileges and Qualifications of Faculty Ombudsperson

Voting privileges are extended to all members of the Unit, and only to members of the Unit. All members of the Ombudsperson Unit who have had one academic year's experience at York Campus at the beginning of their term of office are eligible to serve in this position.

3. Nomination and Election of Faculty Ombudsperson

a. The faculty Ombudsperson shall be elected during the Spring Semester of odd-numbered years.

b. An Ad Hoc Committee for nominating shall be appointed at the beginning of the Spring Semester by the Chair of the Campus Senate. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor, after a slate of at least three candidates has been offered by the Nominating Committee. At the time of nomination, each potential candidate must indicate willingness to serve if elected.

c. Election shall be by secret ballot by all members of the Unit.

d. The Chair of the Campus Senate shall appoint an Ad Hoc Committee responsible for handling ballots and tallying votes.

e. The individual receiving the highest number of votes will be the elected faculty Ombudsperson. The individual with the second highest number of votes will be declared the Alternate faculty Ombudsperson.

4. Conditions of Office

a. The term of office shall be two years, starting on July 1 following the time of election.

b. The Alternate faculty Ombudsperson is encouraged to assist the faculty Ombudsperson in fulfilling the duties of the position. If the faculty Ombudsperson is unable to complete the term, the Alternate will assume the duties of the faculty Ombudsperson for the remainder of the term and an election will be held to fill the position of Alternate faculty Ombudsperson within 30 days.

This subcommittee oversees the York Campus Honors Program. This function includes determining student eligibility, approving courses to be offered, and coordinating special programs, benefits, and awards for program participants.

2. Composition and Size of the Honors Awards Subcommittee

This subcommittee is chaired by the Campus Coordinator of the University Scholars Program. Its membership includes at least one student enrolled in the Honors Program. In appointing members, the Senate Chair will consult with the Campus Coordinator of the University Scholars Program.The total number of members on the committee is unrestricted. The Director of Admissions is an ex officio member.

3. Oversight

Each fall the subcommittee will report to the Senate on the previous year’s program.The Academic and Student Issues Committee (ASIC) will receive at least one annual report from the Honors Subcommittee as well. In addition, ASIC will periodically review the above rules and procedures, in consultation with the Honors Subcommittee, and recommend any necessary changes to the Campus Senate. ASIC will also advocate for the subcommittee in seeking any support it requires from the Senate.

This subcommittee selects the recipients of the James H. Burness Excellence in Teaching Award. The Award is given annually to recognize any aspect of excellent instruction (lectures, demonstrations, classroom activities, handling of discussions, individual attention, laboratory instruction, etc.) that contributes to the academic quality of Penn State York. Two awards are bestowed each academic year, one for a full-time faculty member and one for a part-time faculty member.

2. Composition and Size of the Teaching Award Subcommittee

Membership is composed of the four most recent full-time faculty recipients, the most recent part-time faculty recipient (if he or she is able to serve), and the Director of Academic Affairs (ex officio). Each faculty member will chair this body during his or her fourth year, before he or she rotates off the subcommittee.

3. Award Eligibility

All full-time faculty (Tenure Line, FT1, and FTM) will be considered for the full-time teaching award. Full-time faculty who teach a part-time load due to administrative responsibilities, course releases, or extenuating circumstances will be considered for the full-time award. Adjunct (FT2) faculty will be considered for the part-time teaching award.Exceptions for both awards: any previousJames H. Burnessawardee will not be eligible for consideration for four academic years after receiving the award.Special cases will be considered at the discretion of the Teaching Award Subcommittee in consultation with ASIC.

4. Nomination and Selection Procedures

The subcommittee will solicit nominations during both fall semester and spring semester using email messages to the Student and the Faculty List Serves as well as postings on the Penn State York website. The opening and closing dates for these nomination windows will be established annually by the subcommittee. Nominations will be accepted from any students, faculty, and staff that have observed excellent instruction. The subcommittee will use classroom observations of finalists (as well as any other means it deems appropriate) to determine the annual award winner.

5. Citation

A citation outlining the teaching excellence of the awardee and signed by theTeaching AwardSubcommittee members will be presented to the awardee at the Annual Awards Banquet. The previous year’s recipient will present this citation. It is the responsibility of the chair to work with the Director of Academic Affairs in securing the certificate as well as funds for the monetary prize ($600 full-time; $600 part-time) associated with this award.

6. Oversight

ASIC will receive at least one annual report from the Teaching Award Subcommittee. In addition, ASIC will periodically review the above rules and procedures, in consultation with the Teaching Award Subcommittee, and recommend any necessary changes to the Campus Senate. ASIC will advocate for the subcommittee in seeking any support it requires from the Senate.

The Academic Adviser plays an important role in undergraduate education at Penn State by providing advice and consultation on registration, course offerings, areas of faculty interest and expertise, educational opportunities and goals, degree programs, educational policies, regulations, and procedures. Good advising throughout a student’s academic career helps him or herbecome a self-directed learner and decision maker and may contribute to retention and degree completion. The Academic Advising Council supports academic advising across the campus, mentors academic advisers, recognizes excellent advising, and promotes best practices in advising.

2. Composition and Size of the Academic Advising Council Subcommittee

Membership is composed of the four most recent full-time faculty recipients and two student members selected by the Student Government Association. The Division of Undergraduate Studies Programs Coordinator, the Division of Undergraduate Studies adviser, and the Director of Academic Affairs are ex officio members of this subcommittee.Each faculty member will chair this body during his or her fourth year, before he or she rotates off the subcommittee.

3. Award Eligibility

All faculty (Tenure Line, FT1, FT2, and FTM)and staff who serve as academic advisers (with the exception of professional advisers from the Advising and Career Development Office) are eligible for consideration of the award. Exception: an Academic Advising awardee will not be eligible for consideration for four years after receiving the award.Special cases will be considered at the discretion of theAcademic Advising Award Subcommittee in consultation with ASIC.

4. Nomination and Selection Procedures

The Academic Advising Council Subcommittee will solicit nominations during both fall semester and spring semester using email messages to the Student and the Faculty List Serves as well as postings on the Penn State York website. The opening and closing dates for these nomination windows will be established annually by the subcommittee. Nominations will be accepted from any students, faculty, and staff that have observed excellent advising.From these nominations, the subcommittee will select up to three finalists. It will use feedback from advisees of finalists to determine the annual award winner.

5. Citation

A citation outlining the excellent advising qualities of the awardee and signed by the Academic Advising Award Subcommitteemembers will be presented to the awardee at the Annual Awards Banquet. The previous year’s recipient will present this citation. It is the responsibility of the chair to work with the Director of Academic Affairs in securing the certificate as well as funds for the monetary prize ($350) associated with this award.

6. Oversight

ASIC will receive at least one annual report from the Academic Advising Award Subcommittee. In addition, ASIC will periodically review the above rules and procedures, in consultation with the Academic Advising Award Subcommittee, and recommend any necessary changes to the Campus Senate. ASIC will advocate for the subcommittee in seeking any support it requires from the Senate.

This subcommittee administers all student academic and service awards; in this capacity it sets requirements for new awards, selects recipients of awards based on established criteria, and assists with the Annual Awards Banquet. In annually appointing membership, the Senate Chair will consult with the Director of Student Enrollment Services.

2. Composition and Size of the Student Awards Subcommittee

This subcommittee is ideally composed of at least two faculty and two staff and the Director of Student and Enrollment Services (or a designee). In appointing members, the Senate Chair shall consult with the Director of Student and Enrollment Services. The members of the subcommittee select a full time faculty member as their chair.

3. Nomination and Selection Procedures

Beginning in fall 2014, the subcommittee will solicit nominations during both fall semester and spring semester using email messages to the Student and the Faculty List Serves as well as postings on the Penn State York website. The opening and closing dates for these nomination windows will be established annually by the subcommittee. Award winners will be selected by early March, and the Annual Awards Banquet will be held in April. In selecting award recipients, members of this subcommittee will collaborate with the Registrar.

4. Oversight

The Student Awards Subcommittee will submitan annual report to the Chancellor at the end of spring Semester.ASIC will also receive at least one annual report from the Student Awards Subcommittee. In addition, ASIC will periodically review the above rules and procedures, in consultation with the Student Awards Subcommittee, and recommend any necessary changes to the Campus Senate. ASIC will advocate for the subcommittee in seeking any support it requires from the Senate.

VI. FACULTY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (FAC) – SCHOLARSHIP AWARD SUBCOMMITTEE

1. Unit

This subcommittee selects the recipient of the Faculty Scholarship of Research and Creative Accomplishments Award (hereafter “Scholarship Award”) based on nominations made by faculty within the Penn State system. The Penn State York Scholarship Award recognizes outstanding achievement in research and/or creative accomplishment within the prior three years, in the context of a sustained record of scholarship. It is not a lifetime achievement award. The Penn State York community considers research and creative accomplishments essential to vibrant campus climate, and the award celebrates the diverse contributions of Penn State York faculty in a variety of disciplines and modes. One award is bestowed each academic year, although in rare cases a committee may choose not to make an award or to split the award.

2. Composition and Size of the Scholarship Award Subcommittee

Membership shall consist of the three immediately preceding award recipients, each serving a three-year term; the senate chair-elect; and one faculty member, serving a one-year term, appointed jointly by the Director of Academic Affairs and the Chancellor. The appointed faculty member shall be selected in order to maintain a balance for representation from all faculty ranks on the subcommittee. The composition is designed to bring together elected faculty leaders and those who have met the criteria for the Scholarship Award as well as to maintain representation among faculty of different ranks. The members of this subcommittee select one of themselves as chair. Award nominees may not serve on the subcommittee. In the event of a recusal, resignation, or other vacancy on the committee, the Senate Chair and the Director of Academic Affairs will jointly appoint a replacement to serve for the academic year.

3. Award Eligibility

Faculty of all ranks are eligible for the award. Faculty holding full-time administrative positions are not eligible for the award. Award recipients are ineligible to receive the award for three years after receipt of award, and then only with evidence of substantial new contributions.

4. Nomination and Selection Procedures

Nominations may be made by faculty members within the Penn State system. Nominations are accepted until January 15 of the academic year in which the award is to be made. Self-nominations are not accepted. The Director of Academic Affairs will notify all nominees immediately following the deadline; nominees then decide whether to accept or decline the nomination. All nominees must submit the following materials to the Director of Academic Affairs by March 1:

a one-page nomination letter from the person nominating,

a letter of support from a colleague (within or outside the university) which substantiates the contributions of the nominee to their discipline and field,

a one-page letter and current CV from the nominee, and

a packet of supporting documentation demonstrating quality of work. (Supporting documentation may include examples of work, reviews, award certificates, or other evidence of the quality and/or impact of the nominee’s scholarship portfolio.)

The nominee is responsible for making sure that all materials are provided to the Director of Academic Affairs in a timely manner. Incomplete nomination packets will not be forwarded to the committee.

The Scholarship Award Subcommittee will review the nominees and select a recipient by April 1. In its deliberations, the subcommittee shall recognize and respect the contributions of faculty in various disciplines, judging as far as possible on the basis of the discipline’s criteria for excellence in scholarship. The committee will evaluate the nominees based on the criteria outlined below.

Evaluation Criteria: Scholarship and creative accomplishments will be judged on the basis of originality and significance to the discipline in these areas-

Originality: The degree to which the work represents the development of new knowledge in a creative manner and with independent insight;

Experimental Practices: The degree to which the work involved developing innovative hypotheses or new and superior experimental technologies; and

Presentation: The degree to which products and results were presented to the disciplinary community with clarity through timely presentation in appropriate venues.

Grants: As appropriate to the discipline, evidence of external funding demonstrating the significance of the work.

Application: Use of scholarship to advance pedagogy or community/professional practice.

5. Citation

A citation outlining the scholarly excellence of the awardee and signed by theScholarship AwardSubcommittee members will be presented to the awardee at the Annual Awards Ceremony. The acting chair will present this citation. It is the responsibility of the chair to work with the Director of Academic Affairs in securing the certificate. The Director of Academic Affairs will seek the funds for the monetary prize associated with this award. The amount of the award ($750 at the time of initiation) will be periodically reviewed so that the value remains significant and in alignment with other similar awards on campus. The awardee may choose to take the prize in cash or as professional development funds.

6. Oversight

The Scholarship Award Subcommittee will submit a short report detailing its activities and name(s) of the award recipient(s) in time for inclusion in the Fall Faculty Affairs Committee Report to the Faculty Senate. FAC willperiodically review the above rules and procedures, in consultation with the Scholarship Award Subcommittee, and recommend any necessary changes to the Campus Senate. FAC will advocate for the subcommittee in seeking any support it requires from the Senate.

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